New Realization

Since Nancy was banished, the compound has been unnervingly quiet. It’s unlike before when the air buzzed with the usual hum of activity. People move differently now, with a noticeable caution in their steps. The incident has left an indelible mark on everyone, especially the girls. It opened their eyes to the harsh reality of our situation. We are slaves, sold into this life with no choice but to comply. This isn’t home, nor is it an ideal job. It’s survival.

For some, Nancy’s departure brought a twisted sense of satisfaction. She was a pain, always asserting her dominance in the most grating ways. Others, however, felt a strange sadness. Nancy, despite her flaws, was a constant in their lives. But the most significant change was in those who saw this as a wake-up call. They realized the importance of pleasing Sebastian, of not ending up like Nancy. This incident sparked a desperate need to prove themselves, to avoid the fate of betrayal and banishment.

I could see the change in everyone’s eyes. Conversations were hushed, glances were furtive, and there was an unspoken understanding that we needed to be better. The girls especially seemed more determined, more focused. It was as if a silent agreement had been made to avoid Nancy’s mistakes.

The room was unusually quiet as we went about our morning routines. Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence. Everyone froze, startled by the unexpected sound.

“Who is it?” Sophia called out, her voice tinged with nervousness.

“It’s me, Sebastian.”

A collective gasp went through the room. “Sebastian!” everyone whispered, scrambling to compose themselves. Sophia’s hands trembled as she tried to smooth her hair and straighten her clothes. The rest of us did the same, knowing that Sebastian’s presence demanded the utmost respect.

“Just a minute!” Sophia replied, her voice shaky.

We quickly arranged ourselves, trying to appear as presentable as possible. This was a girls’ room, and some were barely dressed. We hurriedly covered up and stood in line, waiting for Sebastian to enter.

Sophia opened the door, her face flushed with anxiety. “Good afternoon, Sir. Boss. Umm, Mr. Sir.”

Sebastian ignored her stuttering and stepped into the room. His presence was commanding, and we all stood at attention. He scanned the room, his eyes cold and calculating.

“It’s pretty sad what happened some days ago,” he began, his voice resonating in the silent room. “I did not expect that, and neither did any of you. But it still happened. I’m sure many of you are sad and broken by what happened. Some of you may have seen Nancy as an ally, a friend, or a boss. But at the end of the day, I see her as a betrayer.”

He paused, letting his words sink in. “I want you to rest assured that new measures will be put in place. You will be provided with a new boss. That is all I can promise for now. If anyone is discomforted by the way I rule, the way I talk, or the way I command, you are free to leave.”

The room was deathly silent. Sebastian’s words hung heavily in the air. “It’s funny because, every week for the past month, someone has betrayed or stolen from us. It’s been a merry-go-round of emotions. If it’s been hard for you, imagine how it feels for the person it’s directed at. I’m tired. If you feel being under me is unbearable, please leave the premises as soon as possible. I promise not to harm or stop you. But remember, if you leave this mansion, you are never allowed to come back. If you do, you will be treated as a foe.”

He finished his speech and looked around the room. “Thank you,” he said, then turned and walked out.

We stood there, stunned by his words. Fear and confusion mingled in our expressions. Even Sophia, who had been more anxious than most, seemed dumbfounded. I decided to follow Sebastian, catching up to him in the hallway.

“Sebastian,” I called softly. “Are you okay? Is there anything wrong?”

He stopped and turned to me, his eyes cold and distant. “Why are you asking?”

“You sounded tired in there. It was confusing because you are..."...."our leader, our confidant. It sounded like you’re tired of ruling.”

He stopped in his tracks and looked at me intensely. “Would you be happy if every week you got betrayed by those you considered friends, those you protect and keep safe? Would you be happy if they always stabbed you in the back?”

His words cut deep, and I felt a pang of sympathy. “I understand, but—”

“No, you don’t understand,” he interrupted, his voice filled with frustration. “You don’t understand going to extreme lengths to save people, only for things to go wrong for no reason. You don’t understand how it feels to be hurt constantly.”

He looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes. “Sometimes, I wonder if I made the right decisions. Everyone considers me soft, even my father’s enemies. They praise my strength but doubt my resolve. It’s fine when I’m the one being stabbed in the back, but jealousy and betrayal within my own ranks? It’s unbearable but it will happen, it was inevitable, inevitable indeed.”

I wanted to comfort him, but words failed me. He continued, “Ariella, you don’t know the weight of leading this life. Every week, there’s a new betrayal. And now, even my own house isn’t safe.”

I saw the pain in his eyes and felt my heart ache for him. “Sebastian, I—”

“Don’t worry, Ariella. Take care. I won’t be calling for you for a while. You can have your peace while I decide who will take over Nancy’s position. You don’t need to worry about leaving your room for my sake,” he said, turning away.

I watched him walk down the hallway, feeling a mix of frustration and understanding. He was burdened with so much, and I could see how deeply it affected him. I let him go, knowing there was little I could do to ease his pain.

The compound remained quiet, the tension lingering in the air. We were all on edge, unsure of what the future held. But one thing was certain: we had to be better. We had to prove our loyalty and worth to avoid the fate of betrayal and banishment. And for me, I had to find a way to support Sebastian, even if it was from a distance.

As I returned to my room, I couldn’t help but think about the conversation between Sebastian and El Rado. There was something more there, something unspoken. And as I lay in bed that night, I vowed to uncover the truth. For now, all I could do was wait and watch, hoping that the calm would last and that we could find some semblance of peace in this turbulent world.